November 2003

Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.

November 20 - E. Williams - Live- Oak Charter School
November 27 - Thanksgiving; club dark
December 4 - Dark for Members Holiday Party at Golf & Country Club Friday, Dec. 5
December 11 - Interact Luncheon - Speaker: Sharon Hughes

PRESIDENT ONITA called the meeting to order and asked STEVE RUSTAD to lead us in song. Steve announced that he had chosen “The Star Spangled Banner” as today’s song. As the words were song by all, one could feel the sense of unity fill the room.

TED ADKINS came forward to give us the thought for the day. He told us of how HERB BUNDENSEN had asked him to give the thought for the day and how he searched for just the right thought to share with us. Ted shared with us words that were written 2,000 years ago. They may have been 2,000 years old but they still make a lot of sense today.

AL KAPLAN introduced our sole visiting Rotarian from the Petaluma Valley Club. PRESIDENT ONITA then asked for Rotarians with guests to introduce their guest. ALDEN HENNINGS proudly introduced his oldest grandson, Scott, to the club. JEANNETTE CLARK and LOU STEINBERG then introduced their guests. The Sunshine report showed that all members were doing fine.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

LOU STEINBERG reported that the Sonoma State “Squash and Squish” fundraiser was up coming and invited all to attend. It was also reported that the Racehorse fundraiser had sold out and that more horses were being recruited to enable more people to purchase an interest in a racehorse. PRESIDENT ONITA fined Lou $10.00 for turning an announcement into an advertisement.

JIM BECKER reported that all was going well with the International Committee and that he would keep us updated as news became available.

JERRY GILLESPIE reported that Rotary shirts ($20.00) and Rotary hats ($10.00) would once again be available. Order forms will be available at the next three meetings. PRESIDENT ONITA reminded all that these make for good wearing at our social events.

KATHY BURROUGHS reminded us of the club’s Holiday Party to be held on December 5th at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club. Kathy reminded us that it would be a great help to get our reservations and $$ in to her in a timely manner.

CARRIE PIERSON then gave her craft talk. She is a native Petaluman having been raised on King Road. She was involved in 4-H and attended the Grand National Show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco with her horse. The family moved into the city and she then attended Kenilworth Jr. High prior to attending Saint Vincent’s High School. Upon graduation she attended SRJC. Today she is married and the mother of two sons. She works as a loan officer. We welcome Carrie as a new member to our club.

PRESIDENT ONITA then started her fine hunt.

RICK OBERLIN was called upon. Seems today was Rick’s birthday (we all sang Rick Happy Birthday); also Rick told us of how he was very lucky to be with us. Thanks to quick action by his wife after a bee stung Rick, he could be treated. He did spend some time in the hospital and is still recovering. Rick said he would pay a $20.00 fine for his trip to Italy, a new 23-foot boat, and the bee sting.

RICK VAN BEBBER was fined $25.00 for his purchase of a 24-foot boat. Rick said this was not a pleasure boat but rather an investment in employee housing.

BABE AMARAL was asked to stand and tell the members how to tell if an abalone is tender. Seems Babe was lead to believe that tender abalone have a “T” stamped on them. Babe fell for it hook, line and sinker.

MIKE BADDELEY reported that Babe was the hit of the party at the recent Association Meeting. Seems old Babe was put on “Trial by Fire”. In the end Babe and Mike each paid a $10.00 fine.

JIM MICKELSON was asked about a recent quail hunt. Jim said he did not recently hunt quail but was fined $10.00 anyway.

AL KAPLAN paid a $100.00 fine to the foundation for his recent cooking incident. Seems Al had a major propane problem at his home prior to the friendship dinner he hosted. It was suggested that Al listen to his wife next time she tells him something is not right.

JEANNETTE CLARK was fined for purchasing her husband a new Toyota pickup. Jeanette tried to say she only went along for the ride, but in the end she paid a $25.00 fine for her husband’s new pickup.

PRESIDENT ONITA ended her hunt by bagging RALPH BETTINELLI for $40.00. Old Ralph reported that a recent trip to Colorado was very romantic. He said there was snow everywhere - on the elk, deer, fields - just everywhere. He reaffirmed that it was a great trip even if he did forget what he did.

DAVE AMUNDSEN won the raffle and took home a bottle of wine. Next week’s pot is $250.00.

JEANNETTE CLARK introduced our guest speaker Jennifer Weiss the new C.E.O. of the Petaluma Boys and Girls Club. Jennifer told us of how she became involved with the Boys and Girls Club and the challenges that face today’s Petaluma Club.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ralph Sartori.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: James Gotelli
Microphone: Ron Harris
Visitors: Al Kaplan
Editor: Connie Heizer

November 13 - Jennifer Weiss, Executive Director, Petaluma Boys & Girls Club
November 20 - E. Williams - Live- Oak Charter School
November 27 - Thanksgiving; club dark
December 4 - Dark for Members Holiday Party at Golf & Country Club Friday, Dec. 5
December 11 - Interact Luncheon - Speaker: Sharon Hughes

PRESIDENT ONITA rang the meeting to order and BARNEY FAUSS led us in "God Bless America.”

RICARDO MARZO gave the Thought for the Day, a reading of "Patience" by Mahatma Gandhi.

JOE ALLEN introduced the visiting Rotarians. JEANNETTE CLARK introduced the only guest at the meeting.

PRESIDENT ONITA presented STEVE RUSTAD and MIKE CARUANA with their chicken badges. Congratulations!

The Pres tried to fine BARNEY because his badge was found on the floor but BARNEY pleaded faulty equipment and gave it to STEVE OLMSTED to repair,

JOHN DADO announced the annual outing at Golden Gate Fields and asked you to make reservations soon before he opens it up to the other clubs.

MIKE BADDELEY asked that all who attended the Friendship Feasts send their checks to his office this week. He wants to close the book on the event.

The Pres presented Friendship Mugs to the hosts of the dinners.

JIM McCAFFREY, chairman of the mini grant program, thanked the committee members: JOANNE FERRIS, JEANNETTE CLARK, HARVEY FREETLY, MIKE CARUANA and GRETA VIGUIE. He presented five grants worth from $50 to $120 to teachers from Grant, McDowell, and Petaluma Jr. High Schools. These grants come from the proceeds from the weekly raffle.

President Onita announced she and President elect Babe Amaral will fund a renovation project of Walnut Park. It will be a hands on project refurbishing the gazebo and the rest rooms and installing new playground equipment. The project will celebrate Rotary International's 100th anniversary.

November anniversaries were announced: PAUL MASELLI, RALPH SARTORI, MIKE BADDELEY and GINA PITTLER.

HENRY HANSEL paid $50 for a new grandchild and a new son-in-law.

RON HARRIS paid $100 for buying his wife a new Lexus . . .

and for an article about her in the Argus.

JOANNE FERRIS paid $40 for her son’s picture in the P.D. and his role in St. Vincent's Choir.

TOM BRANDAL paid $100 for a quasi off-road vehicle (Lincoln Navigator).

RICK MOSSI won the raffle and a bottle of wine.

The speaker was John Burns, editor of the Argus Courier. We learned the Argus is owned by the New York Times Association and shares costs of printing and circulation with the Press Democrat. The editorial staff is independent and, from his role with the Chamber of Commerce, he noted that the City Council is consulting with the chamber as projects come up.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Madick.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Greta Viguie
Microphone: Lou Steinberg
Visitors: Gina Pittler
Editor: Ralph Sartori